10 Best Synthwave Video Games You Need To Play
3. Neon Drive
Take one part of Outrun, Afterburner, Gradius and Transformers (Gen One, of course), all the neon in the word, a few synthesisers and maybe a copy of Tron, and you've got Neon Drive. There's even a nod to the Fifth Element in there, too.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly how Neon Drive plays out. It's a bit like Outrun, it's a bit like Amplitude or Thumper, but then it also throws Space Harrier and even Vib Ribbon into the mix.
Essentially a rhythm game, you start off avoiding obstacles as you cruise down neon roads. So far, so Outrun. But then you become a spaceship, a jet, another car, a flying car, before finally evolving into an Optimus Prime-a-like for a rhythm platformer sequence.
Whilst that sounds like an ADHD-riddled explanation, it's a cracking little slice of arcade action. It's essentially the interactive version of a YouTube synthwave compilation, which is no bad thing.
If someone ever asks you to summarise "arcade retro eighties gaming", just sit them down and show them this. They'll thank you.